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Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA.
The landmass between Monaragala and Yala’s northern border is filled with remote villages that mainly survive on paddy and Chena cultivations. Most of the land is covered in jungles, and rock formations of various sizes and heights rise at various locations. At most of these rock formations, you will find remains of ancient Buddhist monasteries providing a glimpse of the past of this area. Most of the ruins are not even reported but a research party headed by Takashi Okamura from Hosei University in Japan made 2 research visits in 1985 and 1993 and has documented a significant number of hidden ruins in this area.
The main access road to Kotiyagala is from Kodayanna Junction between Galebedda and Siyalanduwa. From Kodayanna Junction you need to travel 13 km to reach this site. The following information on the site is based on the 1985 visit report prepared by the Japanese archaeological team.
The Dambagala rock formation is located 8.8 km north of Kotiyagala, or 3.2 km north-northwest of the Ethimale colony. It is named “Dambagala” on the “Map,” but the villagers call it “Gamagala.” Bhawanagala Aranya is located about 800 meters northwest of Gamagala or about 7 km north-northwest of Wattarama.
All the ancient monuments are preserved well because the meditating Buddhist priests who occupy this site have restored them. Most of the rock shelters are used as cells or audience halls. Brahmi inscriptions are to be seen on the peeled rock (C) and rock shelter (B). (E) and (I). Rock shelter (A) measures 3 m high and 5 m deep. There is a katrama beneath its brow. Rock shelter (B) lies about 6 m north of rock shelter (A). Shelter B consisted of two big restored rock shelters. The priests use it as an audience hall. Rock shelter (B) has two entrances at its north and south sides. The northern entrance measures 9.5m wide and 2.5 m high. The southern entrance measures 7 m wide and 2.5 m high. At the brow of the north entrance, we found some inscriptions.
About 50 m southwest of rock shelter (B), we found a posthole, measuring 13 cm in diameter and 15 cm in depth. A short distance south-southeast of it, we found some inscriptions on a bedrock.
Transliteration and translation of it are as follows:
Somakaha
Translation: Somaka’s
(read by Mr. W. G. P. Gamlath)
Rock shelter (D) measures 7 m wide and 2 m high. Now, it is used as a cell. No inscriptions are found there. Rock shelter (E) measures 22m wide,5m high and 6m deep. At the brow of it, we found a katarama and some inscriptions. The floor of the shelter is separated into a higher part and a lower part. At the higher part, there is a cell in which a priest is now living.
No further information on this site after the research was carried out in 1985 was found. The location marked on the Google map is approximate based on the map of the research team given below.
Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA.
Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA.
References
- Okamura, T., 1999. Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA. Tokyo: Exploration Club of Hosei University.
Also See
Map of Bhawanagala Aranya Ruins
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Travel Directions to Bhawanagala Aranya Ruins
| Route from Monaragala to Bhawanagala Aranya Ruins |
| Through : Distance : 13 km Travel time : 30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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